Iran has decided to change its policy from a defensive approach to a "full offensive" one, according to remarks cited on August 17 from an Iranian senior official. Separately, Trump said in an interview that there is no timetable for ending the war with Iran, that he is not in a hurry, and that Iran should "raise the white flag and surrender." He also said his thinking on how to resolve the war is "unrelated to the U.S. midterm elections." The comments point to a hardening tone on both sides and suggest no near-term push toward a rapid settlement.